Table 2. Comparison of SEQs, MCQs, and total scores in different grade groups.

P-value was calculated using paired t-test. SEQs. Data are presented as mean ± SEM.

SEQ, short essay question; MCQ, multiple choice question; SEM, standard error of mean

	Count (n)	SEQs (mean ± SEM)	MCQs (mean ± SEM)	P-value (SEQs vs MCQ)	Total (mean ± SEM)	P-value (SEQs vs total)
All students	726	65.3 ± 0.8	70.6 ± 0.6	<0.0001	80.01 ± 0.44	<0.0001
A	169	88.95 ± 0.63	89.77 ± 0.44	0.2187	93.57 ± 0.22	<0.0001
B	258	72.47 ± 0.65	76.43 ± 0.45	<0.0001	84.38 ± 0.19	<0.0001
C	172	55.84 ± 0.85	61.36 ± 0.58	<0.0001	74.59 ± 0.25	<0.0001
D	80	39.36 ± 1.43	50.36 ± 0.9	<0.0001	65.3 ± 0.3	<0.0001
F	47	20.36 ± 1.72	37.77 ± 1.07	<0.0001	52.13 ± 1.05	<0.0001